2024
WNBA
3D Animation
Motion Lead
To spotlight the challenges rookies face both on and off the court, the WNBA introduced “No Shade” SPF 144, a playful, satirical product launch positioned as the ultimate defense against criticism. What looked like a skincare ad at first glance quickly revealed itself as a witty campaign that struck a chord online and across the sports community.
Entering the league means more than competing at the highest level, it means navigating constant scrutiny from fans, media, and peers. The WNBA wanted a fresh, attention-grabbing way to acknowledge this reality while standing behind their athletes.
I leaned into the visual language of beauty and skincare advertising to create authenticity. Nothing sells a skin product like a close-up clinical shot, so I guided the team to create a "medically accurate" animation that showed SPF forming a barrier on the skin, shifting the cells underneath the skin layer into basketballs.
As Motion Lead, I directed the look, timing, and polish of the animation, striking the right balance between glossy, product-driven believability and tongue-in-cheek storytelling. The result was a campaign that entertained, amplified the conversation, and reinforced the WNBA’s support for its athletes.
